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Can Aristotle Help Us Specify the Very Nature of Management Problem?

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  • Marc Nikitin

    (LEO - Laboratoire d'Économie d'Orleans [UMR7322] - UO - Université d'Orléans - UT - Université de Tours - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

The question we address here is: "What is the very nature of managerial problems?". We first argue that real management problems, as opposed to technical problems, are those which do not have "a priori" solutions and for which the arguments for and against any important decision are more or less of equal weight. We then define managerial problems as recurrent dilemmas. Drawing on Aristotle's distinction between theoretical and practical sciences, we then try to analyze the consequences of the previous definition on an epistemological and a pedagogical point of view.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Nikitin, 2014. "Can Aristotle Help Us Specify the Very Nature of Management Problem?," Working Papers halshs-01015082, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-01015082
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01015082
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gerald F. Smith, 1989. "Defining Managerial Problems: A Framework for Prescriptive Theorizing," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(8), pages 963-981, August.
    2. repec:dau:papers:123456789/1338 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Gerald F. Smith, 1995. "Classifying Managerial Problems: An Empirical Study Of Definitional Content," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5), pages 679-706, September.
    4. Marie-Louise Helies-Hassid, 2000. ""Au bonheur des dames" ou la leçon de commerce de M. Zola," Post-Print halshs-02923540, HAL.
    5. J.A. Brandon, 2001. "The new Taylorism," International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(2/3/4), pages 162-170.
    6. Stephen Zeff, 2007. "The SEC rules historical cost accounting: 1934 to the 1970s," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(S1), pages 49-62.
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    Keywords

    management; managerial problem; epistemology; Aristotle; problèmes managériaux; épistémologie; Aristote;
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